Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie is carving out a niche beyond the hardwood. Known for his defensive tenacity and relentless energy, Okogie has recently channeled his passion into a new and somewhat unexpected venture: photography.
Okogie's journey into the world of photography began serendipitously during a vacation in Milan, Italy, aligned with Fashion Week. Equipped with a Sony a7 III camera, a gift that sparked his interest, Okogie was encouraged by a friend to explore his newfound hobby further.
"I've kind of figured out how the camera works, how to do the settings, how to do the white balance and all that. So it's been pretty cool," said Okogie. Despite his initial enthusiasm, the transition from defending the court to capturing it through a lens has not been without its challenges.
"I'm still not good. I'll say 90-95% of my pictures are BS, but I feel like I've gotten better -- slightly -- each day I've taken pictures," Okogie admitted candidly. His self-critique underscores the difficulties he has faced, especially when trying to capture the fast-paced action of live basketball games.
Okogie dabbled in shooting live basketball early on, but his most significant experience came in Las Vegas. There, he captured dynamic moments at the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors matchup. Yet, the speed of the game proved to be a considerable hurdle.
"It's very fast. Every time somebody dunks, by the time I take a picture, he's already done finished the dunk and he's already playing defense," Okogie noted. Understanding how to anticipate the action and find the right angle is the biggest improvement he feels he needs to make. "I feel like the biggest improvement I have to make is adjusting to the speed of the game and not only anticipating, but also about being at the right angle to get the best picture."
Okogie draws inspiration and guidance from seasoned photographers like David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage with the Phoenix Suns. "That's my guy. He films the Wolves and he also films a lot of other NBA-sanctioned events. So I've always paid close attention to David," Okogie remarked, underscoring his respect for the veterans in the field.
At the heart of his photographic endeavor, Okogie aims to encapsulate the emotional essence of moments on the court. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he explained, emphasizing his commitment to capturing more than just the physical feat but also the emotional undercurrents that define the game.
Looking ahead, Okogie plans to expand his portfolio by photographing WNBA games during the offseason, further honing his skills and understanding of the art form. Despite his burgeoning interest in photography, his primary focus remains firmly on basketball.
Recently, Okogie signed a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, reinforcing his dedication to the team. "My mentality is just to go out there and just try to give this team the energy that they need on both sides of the floor," he asserted. As a player widely appreciated for his vigorous playing style, Okogie aims to be the catalyst that sparks his team's performance.
He has had detailed discussions about his objectives with the new Suns coach, Mike Budenholzer, and expresses optimism about the team's potential in the upcoming season. "We have a lot of talent on this team, but I want to be the battery of this team, if that makes sense. The motor of this team, to get people going, get people excited to play, get people moving," Okogie said with conviction.
Recognizing the strength of the competition, Okogie remains focused on the collective abilities of the Suns. "The West is going to be really competitive next year. I feel like we can be as good as we want to be. I feel like our ceiling is as high as we make it. I'm excited. I feel like if we get a good training camp and we start to jell, the sky's the limit for us," he concluded, brimming with optimism.
Josh Okogie stands as a testament to the power of passion, both on and off the court. As he continues to develop his skills behind the camera while excelling in his basketball career, Okogie's journey serves as an inspiration, highlighting the importance of perseverance, versatility, and the relentless pursuit of improvement.